Matthew D. Krueger, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on September 18, 2018, a federal grand jury returned a fifteen-count Indictment against Nickie M. Foster (age 22), Marquel L. Johnson (age 24), and Martell D. Ford (age 27), charging them with a series of robberies of taxi cab drivers and gas station employees between August 22, 2018, and August 25, 2018.   All three defendants are charged with conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery.  Nickie M. Foster and Marquel L. Johnson are each charged with committing four robberies of taxi cab drivers, in violation of the Hobbs Act, and using, carrying, brandishing, and sometimes discharging a firearm during those robberies.  Both women are charged with the robbery of the Petro Mart on Chase Avenue in Milwaukee and the discharge of a firearm during the robbery of Petro Mart.  Martell D. Ford is charged with one taxi cab robbery and brandishing a firearm during the robbery.  Both Ford and Johnson are also charged with the attempted robbery of BP Gas Station on Plankinton Avenue in Milwaukee and the brandishing of a firearm during that attempted robbery. 

If convicted of the charges in the indictment, the defendants face up to twenty years of imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine as to the conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robberies and each of the Hobbs Act robberies. Each of the brandishing of a firearm counts involves a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years and a maximum of life in prison and the counts of discharging of a firearm involve a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years with a maximum of life in prison, which must run consecutive to any other sentence.  Convictions of any second or subsequent of the firearms counts carries a mandatory minimum of 25 years, consecutive to any other sentence.

With respect to the taxi cab robberies, the criminal complaint filed in this case alleged that on August 22 and August 23, 2018, Foster was the passenger in several taxi cabs when she brandished a firearm and demanded money and other items from the drivers.  During the course of these robberies, Foster pointed a silver handgun at the taxi cab drivers, and, on at least one occasion, discharged the firearm after leaving the taxi cab.  During the Petro Mart gas station robbery on August 23, 2018, Foster entered the Petro Mart with Marquel Johnson.  Foster brandished a silver handgun and proceeded to shoot the gas station employee in the head.  Foster then emptied the cash from the register while Johnson took possession of the firearm and pointed it toward the gas station employee, who was on the ground.  On August 25, 2018, Johnson and Ford entered the BP gas station.  Johnson pointed a silver handgun at the clerk and demanded money.  The clerk locked the doors to the store, trapping Johnson in the store.  Eventually, Johnson was able to exit the store.  Later that day, after engaging in a vehicle pursuit with law enforcement, Johnson was arrested.  Police officers recovered a silver handgun from Johnson when she was arrested.  

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Milwaukee Area Violent Crimes Task Force and the Milwaukee Police Department.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Margaret B. Honrath.  

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which time the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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Public encouraged to notify law enforcement if they have any further information

PRESS RELEASE

Indianapolis-United States Attorney Josh Minkler announced today that a Bloomington, Indiana, man has been indicted for possession of matter containing child pornography. James Hans Huffman, 47, was arrested this morning by local and federal law enforcement officials. He had an initial appearance before a federal magistrate this afternoon and remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

“Protecting minor victims from sexual predators will always remain a top priority of this office,” said Minkler. “Those who are not able to protect themselves are the victims for which we will advocate the hardest.”

According to the indictment, from November 6, 2017, through December 19, 2017, Huffman possessed one or more matters which contained visual depictions of minors under the age of 12 years old engaging in sexually explicit conduct.

The public is encouraged to call law enforcement officials if they have any reason to believe Huffman may have had inappropriate contact with their children or other youth in the community. The FBI’s toll-free number is 800-CALLFBI (225-5324) or www.fbi.gov/tips. Concerned citizens may also call the Bloomington Police Department at 812-339-4477.

This case is being investigated by the Bloomington Police Department and the FBI.

“Today’s charge illustrates the FBI’s ongoing commitment to protect the most vulnerable in our society, our youth, from those who would attempt to exploit them,” said Grant Mendenhall, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Indianapolis Division. “This arrest also demonstrates the strong partnerships we have with our law enforcement partners and our continued efforts to identify and hold accountable those who prey on children.”

According to Assistant United States Attorney Bradley P. Shepard who is prosecuting this case for the government, Huffman faces up to 20 years imprisonment if convicted.

An indictment is only a charge and not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

In October 2017, United States Attorney Josh J. Minkler announced a Strategic Plan designed to shape and strengthen the District’s response to its most significant public safety challenges. This prosecution demonstrates the Office’s firm commitment to prosecuting those who exploit or harm children and to work closely with Project Safe Childhood. See United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana Strategic Plan 4.1 and 4.2

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – September 20, 2018 – Malik Armstrong, 24, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury and charged with three counts of bank robbery, announced U.S. Attorney Don Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee. 

According to charging documents, on July 9, 2018, an individual entered the Fort Campbell    Blvd. U.S. Bank branch, in Clarksville, Tennessee and presented a note demanding cash.  After receiving the cash from a teller, the individual fled the bank on foot.

On July 19, 2018, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department responded to a robbery call at the Bell Road branch of the Fifth Third Bank.  The subsequent investigation determined that the suspect’s physical description matched the description of the person responsible for the Clarksville bank robbery and the suspect presented a demand note almost identical to the one presented in Clarksville. 

On August 15, 2018, the Bell Road branch of the U.S. Bank in Nashville was robbed using the same manner and means as the previous two robberies and by the same individual who had been identified by investigators as Malik Armstrong. 

On August 16, 2018, a criminal complaint was issued and Armstrong was arrested by the FBI on August 31, 2018, after being located in West Tennessee.

If convicted, Armstrong faces up to 20 years in prison on each count.

This case was investigated by the Clarksville Police Department; the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department and the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Suedekum is prosecuting the case.

The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

BOSTON – The leader of a Lawrence-based heroin and fentanyl drug trafficking organization pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston in connection with orchestrating a wide-ranging operation that distributed multiple kilos of fentanyl and cocaine to customers in Lawrence and surrounding areas – including New Hampshire and Maine.

Juan Anibal Patrone, 28, a Dominican national formerly residing in Lawrence, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine, and 400 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of being an alien in possession of a firearm. U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock scheduled sentencing for Jan. 10, 2019. Patrone has been in custody since his arrest in May 2017.

On May 30, 2017, a large scale law enforcement operation dismantled two Lawrence-based drug trafficking organizations, one run by Patrone, and another led by Santo Ramon Gonzalez Nival, who was a source of supply for Patrone. Patrone and approximately 28 co-conspirators were arrested, including Gonzalez Nival and nine members of his drug trafficking organization. Gonzalez Nival previously pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 21, 2018.

Patrone ran his organization like a business. He bought drugs from suppliers, such as co-conspirator Domingo Gonzalez Martinez, who supplied drugs to Patrone out of the Corniel Market in Lawrence. He personally paid rent for stash houses, including 277 Merrimack Street and 20 Cambridge Street in Lawrence, and paid his brother, Josuel Moises Patrone-Gonzalez, and Oscar Marcano, to prepare and package drugs in those stash houses. He ran a crew of couriers, including some who worked in cars, like Luis Lugo and Leonel Vives, and others who walked the street, such as Daniel Diaz and Andruery Fanas Burgos, telling them specifically where to go and who to see. Similarly, Patrone personally directed his redistributors where to go to purchase narcotics to distribute, including Matthew Shover, Stacey Littlefield, Lacey Picariello, Reynaldo Duran Lora, and Rafael Arce – some of whom came from New Hampshire and Maine to obtain drugs to redistribute outside of Massachusetts. Patrone also paid Euclides Alcantara to register and insure his fleet of vehicles in false names, and to carry drug proceeds to the Dominican Republic.

In addition, Patrone openly discussed the size of his drug business with others, including family. In intercepted calls, he admitted that he had worked in the business for seven years and wanted to return to the Dominican Republic, where he planned to get out of the drug business and live well. Investigators learned from these calls that Patrone’s assets are primarily in the Dominican Republic, and the government has undertaken efforts to freeze and forfeit them as part of his sentence in this case. 

Furthermore, during a search of Patrone’s home, agents found a 10mm Auto-Ordnance Corp, loaded with a magazine containing six 10mm rounds of ammunition.

In addition to yesterday’s plea, a member of the Nival Gonzalez organization was sentenced in federal court.

Bernaldo Rosario Santiago, 27, of Puerto Rica, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to five years in prison, four years of supervised release, and ordered to forfeit approximately $18,000. In June 2018, Santiago was convicted by a federal jury of one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute heroin and at least 40 grams of fentanyl. Santiago was a redistributor for the Nival Gonzalez organization.

Patrone faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison, five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, a fine of up to $10 million, and will be subject to deportation proceedings. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Division; and Peter C. Fitzhugh, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Boston, made the announcement today. The Massachusetts State Police and the Andover, Haverhill, Lawrence, Lowell, and Wilmington Police Departments assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Winkler of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the cases.

BOSTON – A Mexican national was indicted by a federal grand jury yesterday in connection with drug trafficking activities that resulted in the seizure of approximately four kilograms of suspected heroin.

Miguel Angel Torres Morales, 39, was indicted on one count of possession with the intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. Torres Morales was arrested on Aug. 21, 2018, and charged by criminal complaint; he has been detained since then.

According to court documents, a cooperating witness arranged to purchase four kilograms of “china white,” referring to fentanyl, from a large-scale narcotics distributor for $55,000 per kilogram. The distributor agreed to deliver the drugs to the cooperating witness using a courier. On Aug. 20, 2018, Torres Morales drove a tractor trailer to the area of the “Park and Ride” parking lot on Granite Avenue in Milton to deliver the drugs. Federal agents stopped the tractor trailer and, in a cabinet behind the driver’s seat, located four brick-packed kilograms of tan powder wrapped in cellophane. A field test of the powder tested positive for heroin.

The charge of possession with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and up to life, a minimum of five years and up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $10 million. Torres Morales will be subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of his sentence. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Brian D. Boyle, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren A. Graber of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case. 

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Columbia, Missouri was indicted by a federal grand jury yesterday for receiving child pornography.

Steven D. French, 60, of Columbia, Mo., was charged by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City, Mo., with one count of receiving or distributing child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography.

The federal indictment charges French with downloading child pornography from, and uploading child pornography to, the internet. Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at French’s residence on Aug. 29, 2018. Officers seized computers and other electronic media from his residence and submitted them for forensic examination. Forensic examination revealed images depicting child pornography as well as evidence of receipt of child pornography.

The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley S. Turner. It was investigated by the FBI and the Boone County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – September 20, 2018 – A federal criminal complaint was issued yesterday charging Eric Swarbrick, 26, of Austin Texas, with interstate stalking and sending interstate communications with the intent to threaten, announced U.S. Attorney Don Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee. 

“Too often, we have seen the consequences of ignoring signs of escalating violent behavior by some individuals,” said U.S. Attorney Cochran.  “The attention given to this matter by our law enforcement partners and the resulting federal charges we have brought should serve to prevent a future tragic event.”

According to the complaint, in January 2018, Big Machine Label Group (“BMLG”) in Nashville, began receiving letters from Swarbrick expressing his desire for BMLG CEO Scott Borchetta to introduce him to BMLG client Taylor Swift.  In one letter, Swarbrick acknowledges that he has been wandering around the offices of BMLG in the past.  Over time, the letters became increasingly violent and sexual in nature, with at least 40 letters and emails being received by BMLG. 

The complaint alleges that on three occasions, Swarbrick drove from Texas to Nashville and personally delivered letters to BMLG, including on August 2, 2018, at which time he was arrested by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.  After being released from custody in Nashville, Swarbrick continued to send at least 13 threatening letters and emails before the end of August.  In many of the letters, Swarbrick expressed his desire to rape and kill Taylor Swift and in one he stated he would kill himself in front of Borchetta and his staff.

Swarbrick is currently detained in Travis County, Texas and will be transferred to the Middle District of Tennessee at an undetermined date in the future. 

If convicted, Swarbrick faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count.

This case is being investigated by the FBI and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Siji Moore is prosecuting the case.

The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

BOSTON – A South Boston man was arrested today and charged in federal court in Boston with illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition.

Jermaine Tindal, 29, was charged with possessing a firearm and ammunition after being previously convicted of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison. Tindal will appear in federal court today at 3:15 p.m.

According to court documents, on July 19, 2018, Tindal possessed a Harrington and Richardson 12-gauge shotgun and five rounds of Remington 12-gauge ammunition after previously being convicted in South Carolina of a crime punishable by more than one year in prison. He then sold the shotgun and ammunition to another individual in the Mary Ellen McCormack public housing development.

The charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elianna Nuzum of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

Jacksonville, Florida– U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has sentenced Daryl D. Shack (28, Jacksonville) to four years and three months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Shack pleaded guilty on May 15, 2018. 

According to court documents, on July 17, 2017, officers from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a car in which Shack was a passenger. The driver’s two-year-old daughter was also in the car. Shack possessed a loaded Beretta pistol, which had previously been reported stolen, between his feet. He also had a baggie of cocaine in his pocket. Officers later recovered a baggie of marijuana, a knife, and an axe from the vehicle. At the time, Shack had a previous conviction for armed robbery, and therefore, was prohibited from possessing a firearm by federal law.

This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Coolican.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In October 2017, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to develop districtwide crime reduction strategies, incorporating the lessons learned since the program’s inception in 2001. In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.

BOSTON – A South Boston man was arrested today and charged in federal court in Boston with distributing heroin and fentanyl.

Jomar Ventura, 24, was charged with four counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl. Ventura will appear in federal court later today.

According to court documents, Ventura distributed heroin and fentanyl in and around the Mary Ellen McCormack public housing development in South Boston on March 19, March 28, April 24, and May 4, 2018.

 The charge of distributing or possessing with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl provides for a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, up to a lifetime of supervised release, and a fine of up to $1 million. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling and Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elianna Nuzum of Lelling’s Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.

            CONCORD - Sara Johnson, 36, of Manchester, was sentenced to serve 18 months in prison for federal firearms crimes, United States Attorney Scott W. Murray announced today.

             According to court documents and statements made in court, Johnson purchased a rifle in a private sale from an individual in New Hampshire sometime in 2015.  Johnson subsequently provided the rifle to an individual Johnson knew to be a convicted felon who was prohibited from possessing a firearm.

            Johnson also purchased a pistol in 2015 in a private sale in Bow, New Hampshire.  At the time of the purchase, the pistol’s serial number was intact.  On June 9, 2016, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Johnson’s residence.  A pistol with an obliterated serial number was found underneath a mattress.  Testing later confirmed it to be the same pistol Johnson had purchased in 2015.  Possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number is a violation of federal law.

            Johnson previously pleaded guilty on February 15, 2018.

            “Those who violate federal firearms laws jeopardize public safety and often put guns in the hands of criminals,” said U.S. Attorney Murray.  “Because those who provide firearms to felons increase the risk that those felons will commit violent crimes, we use Project Safe Neighborhoods and our other partnerships with law enforcement to identify and prosecute those who commit gun-related offenses.”

            “The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is committed to targeting individuals who are prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and have further engaged in trafficking those firearms into other criminals hands,” said Special Agent in Charge, Mickey Leadingham.

            This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Manchester Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shane B.  Kelbley.

            The case is part of ATF’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, which is a federally-funded program intended to reduce gun violence through law enforcement training, public education, and aggressive law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute gun-related crimes. 

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A Homestead, Florida man who was charged with surreptitiously producing and distributing pornographic audio and video recordings of himself engaging in sexual activity with multiple men, pleaded guilty today in federal court in Miami.      

Bryan Deneumostier, 32, also known by the screen name “susanleon33326,” pleaded guilty to two counts of illegal interception of oral communications. 

U.S. Attorney Ariana Fajardo Orshan for the Southern District of Florida, Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and Special Agent in Charge Mark Selby of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami Field Office, made the announcement today.  Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga scheduled the sentencing hearing for Nov. 29.  Deneumostier was arrested in July 2018 and has been held in custody since then.

According to the indictment to which Deneumostier pleaded guilty and to other facts he admitted in his plea agreement, Deneumostier assisted in the operation of a subscription-based pornography website.  The site offered for streaming approximately 619 “hook up” videos that depicted sexual activity between Deneumostier and other men.  The defendant had surreptitiously made audio and video recordings of the sexual encounters, without the victims’ knowledge or consent.  He later sold the “hook up” videos to a third party located overseas and caused them to be posted onto the website.  The indictment and plea agreement refer to three known victims whose identities are being withheld to protect their privacy.  Deneumostier admitted that he recorded himself engaging in sexual activity with approximately 150 men that were featured on his website and that approximately 80 of those did not know that he was recording them. 

The investigation was conducted by HSI.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Cary Aronovitz of the Southern District of Florida and Senior Trial Attorney Mona Sedky of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and are prosecuting the case.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

MACON: Charles E. Peeler, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announces that Arthur Lee Bennett, age 45, of Milledgeville, Georgia was sentenced to serve 72 months in federal prison for Possession of a Stolen Firearm before U.S. District Judge Marc T. Treadwell in Macon, Georgia on September 19, 2018.

In his plea agreement, Mr. Bennett admitted that the Georgia State Patrol stopped him for speeding on August 12, 2017.  While waiting for confirmation that Mr. Bennett had an outstanding probation violation warrant, a Trooper attempted to detain him, but Mr. Bennett fled on foot.  An inventory of Mr. Bennett’s car revealed a loaded .380 caliber pistol which had been reported as stolen from an evidence locker at the Milledgeville Police Department.  Mr. Bennett was subsequently arrested, and the police confirmed he had felony convictions for Burglary, Possession of Cocaine, Armed Robbery and Interference with Government Property.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

“Felons with stolen guns are headed to federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Charles E. Peeler.  “I commend the ATF and Georgia State Patrol for bringing Mr. Bennett to justice.”

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Georgia State Patrol.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Easterling is prosecuting the case.

Questions regarding this case should be addressed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, at 478-731-1824 or pam.lightsey@usdoj.gov

BIRMINGHAM – The Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women has awarded One Place Metro Alabama Family Justice Center $700,593 to support its mission as the comprehensive service provider for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking in Jefferson County. U.S. Attorney Jay E. Town and One Place Executive Director Allison Dearing announced the grant.

OVW issued the award through its Improving Criminal Justice Responses grant program. One Place, in collaboration with Jefferson County, will use this award to provide a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner to coordinate and manage the SANE program operated by the Crisis Center at One Place. The grant funding also enables One Place to provide trauma-informed advocacy training for Rape Response medical advocates and law enforcement; support a staff attorney from the YWCA Central Alabama to work onsite at One Place and provide comprehensive legal assistance; and sustain quarterly events to promote community awareness and engagement with One Place.

            “One Place is a vital resource in our community to ease the impact and trauma that victims of domestic violence and sexual assault suffer,” Town said. “Often victims of domestic violence and sexual assault are forced to relive horrific experiences as they recount the story of their assault to healthcare providers, crisis managers, law enforcement, and prosecutors. One Place is a national model where all domestic violence and sexual assault responders are gathered to coordinate services and limit the additional trauma suffered by victims. This grant will further enhance One Place’s ability to address the harm suffered by victims of violent crime and to best support their recovery.”

            “The awarded funds will allow One Place to expand its current on-site resources to offer increased support for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault,” Dearing said. “This award affirms and advances the mission of our collaboration — which is to make the process less intimidating and more efficient for the survivors we serve.”

OVW’s Improving Criminal Justice Responses program is designed to encourage partnerships between state and local governments, courts, victim service providers, coalitions, and rape crisis centers to ensure that sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking are treated as serious violations of criminal law.

At One Place, victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault receive wraparound services from one central location, with an emphasis on maintaining a survivor-centered approach, which reduces barriers to seeking help in the Birmingham area.

The mission of One Place is to provide coordinated services to victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault through a multi-disciplinary team of agency professionals who are co-located and working together under roof. The founding agencies at One Place include the Birmingham Police Department, the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, the YWCA Central Alabama and the Crisis Center, Inc.

One Place is the only agency in the state of Alabama to receive this OVW grant award in 2018.

For more information on One Place and its services contact (205) 453-7261.

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MACON: Charles E. Peeler, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announces that Charlie Lee Harvey, Jr., age 45, of Byron, Georgia was sentenced to serve 120 months in federal prison for Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine before U.S. District Court Judge Marc T. Treadwell in Macon, Georgia on September 19, 2018.

In his plea agreement, Mr. Harvey admitted to being a passenger in a truck that was stopped for a window tint violation on July 15, 2016.  A drug detection dog alerted on the truck, and a search revealed a gallon-size Ziploc bag containing suspected methamphetamine in the center console.  Mr. Harvey told the police that the driver knew nothing about the drugs.  A subsequent search of Mr. Harvey’s residence revealed $2,700 (all in one hundred dollar bills), two sets of digital scales, two boxes of plastic heat seal food bags, and one vacuum food sealer.  Lab test results from the DEA confirmed the drugs were 986.2 grams of d-methamphetamine hydrochloride (“Ice”) with an 89% purity.  Mr. Harvey waived his Miranda rights and confessed to possessing the methamphetamine and intending to sell it.  Mr. Harvey has previous felony convictions for Sale of Cocaine, Trafficking in Cocaine, and Criminal Attempt to Commit Trafficking in Cocaine.

“Methamphetamine is pure poison in our community,” said U.S. Attorney Charles E. Peeler.  “I commend the DEA, the Georgia State Patrol, the Peach County Sheriff’s Office, the Byron Police Department, and the Fort Valley Police Department for their investigation and efforts to bring Mr. Harvey to justice and to get this poison off our streets.”

 This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Georgia State Patrol, the Peach County Sheriff’s Office, the Byron Police Department, and the Fort Valley Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Easterling is prosecuting the case.

Questions concerning this case should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603.

NEWARK, N.J. – Federal and local law enforcement authorities have charged six people for their alleged roles in a drug trafficking organization that distributed heroin in Newark, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced today.

Andre Mims, 42, Herbert Cheeks, 52, and Anthony Woods, 54, all of Newark; Gregory Mims, 43, of East Orange, New Jersey; and James Thomas, 51, of Bronx, New York; are each charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin. Andre Mims and Cheeks are also charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Freddie Mims, 35, of Irvington, is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin.

Gregory and Freddie Mims are scheduled to appear this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Falk in Newark federal court. Andre Mims is in state custody and will appear in Newark federal court on Sept. 25, 2018. The other defendants – Cheeks, Woods and Thomas – remain at large.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Andre Mims and Cheeks are allegedly the leaders of a drug trafficking organization that sold heroin in and around Newark, including to customers from all over New Jersey. The organization also supplied drugs to customers and other distributors elsewhere. Law enforcement officials used physical and video surveillance, undercover officers, dozens of controlled narcotics purchases, record checks, narcotics and weapons seizures, and telephone wiretaps in their investigation.

The drug trafficking organization – known for its particular “stamps” of heroin, including “mastercard,” “ciroc” and “E.T.” – controlled several stash locations in Newark, Irvington and East Orange.

The count of drug trafficking conspiracy carries a mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison, a maximum potential penalty of 40 years in prison, and a $5 million fine. The drug possession count carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The felony gun possession counts carry a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction Acting Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II, and special agents of the DEA, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Valerie A. Nickerson, New Jersey Division, with the investigation leading to the charges. He also thanked the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, the Newark Police Department, and the Union County Prosecutor’s Office for their assistance with the investigation.

This drug trafficking organization was the focus of the Violent Crime Initiative (VCI) in Newark. The Newark VCI was formed in August 2017 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, and the City of Newark’s Department of Public Safety for the sole purpose of combatting violent crime in and around the Newark. As part of this partnership, federal, state, county, and city agencies collaborate and pool resources to prosecute violent offenders who endanger the safety of the community. The VCI includes the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the DEA, the ATF, the FBI, the U.S. Marshals, the Newark Department of Public Safety, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, N.J. State Parole Board, the Union County Jail, N.J. State Police Regional Operations and Intelligence Center/Real Time Crime Center, N.J. Department of Corrections, the East Orange Police Department, and the Irvington Police Department.

The government is represented by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Naazneen Khan of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Violent Crimes Unit and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary E. Toscano, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division in Newark.

NEWARK, N.J. – A Hudson County, New Jersey woman was arrested and charged today for promoting a voter bribery scheme by use of the U.S. mail, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Lizaida Camis, 55, of Hoboken, is charged by complaint with a violation of the Travel Act for causing the mails to be used to aid voter bribery contrary to New Jersey state law. She is scheduled to have her initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Falk in Newark federal court.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Under New Jersey law, registered voters are permitted to cast a ballot by mail rather than in person. To receive a mail-in ballot, voters must complete and submit to their county clerk’s office an Application for Vote By Mail Ballot (VBM Application). After the application is processed, voters receive a mail-in ballot.

From October 2013 through November 2013, Camis agreed to pay certain Hoboken voters $50 each if those voters applied for and cast mail-in ballots for the November 2013 Hoboken municipal election. Camis provided these voters with VBM Applications and then delivered the completed applications to the Hudson County Clerk’s office. After the mail-in ballots were delivered to the voters, Camis went to their apartments and, in some cases, instructed the voters to vote for the candidates for whom Camis was working. Camis promised the voters that they would be paid $50 for casting their mail-in ballots and told them that they could pick up their checks after the election at an office on Jefferson Street in Hoboken. Bank records show that voters living in Hoboken received $50 checks from entities associated with the campaigns that employed Camis.

Camis faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, and special agents of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of the Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christina Scaringi, with the investigation leading to today’s arrest.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Farrell of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Special Prosecutions Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Rahul Agarwal, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division.

The charge and allegations in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Charleston, South Carolina --- United States Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced today that Thomas Lawton Evans Jr., 37, of Boiling Springs, South Carolina, pled guilty to all counts contained in a three count federal indictment.  Count One charged Kidnapping Involving a Person Under the Age of 18, a violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1201(a)(1) and (g), punishable by a minimum term of imprisonment of 20 years and up to life.  Count Two charged Transportation of a Minor to Engage in Sexual Activity, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2423(a), punishable by a minimum of 10 years imprisonment and up to life.  Count Three charged Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Person under the age of Twelve, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2241(c), punishable by a minimum term of imprisonment of 30 years and a maximum sentence of life.   United States District Court Judge David Norton will sentence Evans at a later date.

Facts presented at Evans’ guilty plea hearing established that Evans followed a family into their Johns Island, South Carolina, home on February 13, 2018 and brutally assaulted and injured an adult resident and kidnapped her four-year-old daughter.  Evans then took the child to Alabama, where the child was recovered by the Riverside Police Department.  Evans was arrested later the same day in Jackson, Mississippi, after a police pursuit.

The convictions are the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Charleston Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorneys Nathan Williams and Nick Bianchi are prosecuting the case.

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HOUSTON – The Texas A&M Research Foundation (TAMRF) has agreed to pay the United States $750,000 to resolve claims that the Foundation submitted improper charges to federal grants, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

TAMRF is an independent non-profit service organization focused on facilitating research and development within the Texas A&M University System with its principal place of business in College Station. The Texas A&M University System is composed of 17 member institutions and agencies that are classified as institutions of higher education. TAMRF is a recipient of federal grants, cooperative agreements and contracts from various federal agencies, including  the Department of Education (ED), Department of Energy (DOE), NASA, National Science Foundation (NSF) and Department of Transportation (DOT). In addition, TAMRF receives sub-wards and subcontracts under federal grants, cooperative agreements and contracts.

The settlement is the result of an investigation that began after a qui tam, or whistleblower, lawsuit was filed under seal on June 6, 2013. The whistleblowers are employed by TAMRF and alleged that during their employment they witnessed TAMRF allow personnel to ignore federal restrictions and permitted the overcharging of salaries, which inflated grant expenses. The whistleblowers also alleged TAMRF engaged in cost shifting; allowed academic employees to wrongfully receive longevity pay; violated salary caps; and improperly charged grants for expenses not incurred or not covered.

The United States investigated the allegations finding that from January 1, 2007 through November 3, 2016, TAMRF improperly charged additional compensation to federal grants for academic employees at an institution of higher education ineligible to receive such pay.

The United States also concluded that TAMRF improperly charged various federal grants for expenses not properly allocable to them, including salaries and wages for individuals not working on the grants and supplies and equipment unrelated to the grants. TAMRF also improperly charged various federal grants for unallowable costs such as travel expenses unrelated to the objectives of the grants or for unaffiliated parties not working on the grants.

“DOE - Office of Inspector General (OIG) is committed to ensuring the integrity of our grant recipients by holding accountable those who choose to engage in false claim and mischarging schemes,” said Acting Inspector General April G. Stephenson of DOE. “This settlement is the result of a joint investigation which protected the government from inflated claims. We appreciate the efforts of the Department of Justice in pursuing this matter and will continue to work collaboratively with our investigative partners to aggressively investigate those who seek to defraud government programs.”   

“NASA-OIG will continue to investigate all Qui Tam relator allegations of fraud, and applaud the relators that brought this matter to the attention of the United States,” said NASA Inspector General Paul Martin. “NASA-OIG appreciates the cooperative efforts of the entire investigative team during this investigation.”

“The funding NSF provides to our nation’s universities is vital to NSF’s mission of promoting the progress of science, but universities must do their part to ensure that these funds are spent on legitimate costs that directly benefit these awards,” said NSF Inspector General Allison Lerner. “NSF-OIG is committed to vigorously pursuing oversight of these taxpayer funds and I commend the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our investigative partners for their strong support in this effort.”

“Today’s settlement demonstrates that ensuring the integrity of DOT research grant programs is a top priority for the DOT-OIG,” said Regional Special Agent-in-Charge Joseph Zschiesche of DOT-OIG. “Working with our federal law enforcement and prosecutorial colleagues, we will continue to protect taxpayers’ investment in our nation’s infrastructure from fraud, waste, abuse and violations of law.”

Under the False Claims Act, a private party, known as a relator, can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of the recovery. In this case, the relators will receive $142,500.

The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.  

The U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) jointly conducted the investigation along with ED, DOE, NASA, NSF and DOT. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill Venezia handled the matter for the USAO.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams joined the Department of Justice in announcing more than $113 million in grant awards to improve public safety, serve victims of crime, combat violence against women, and support youth programs in American Indian and Alaska Native communities, including: the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission; Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians; Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation; Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation; Coquille Indian Tribe; Cowcreek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians; and Klamath Tribes.

“Pursuing justice on behalf of tribal communities and supporting the development and growth of tribal law enforcement agencies, courts, and victim services has been a key focus of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for many years,” said U.S. Attorney Williams. “These awards mark the Justice Department’s continued commitment to ensuring all tribes have the resources necessary to keep their communities safe and effectively enforce the administration of justice on tribal land.”

Nationwide, grants were awarded to 133 American Indian tribes, Alaska Native villages, and other tribal designees through the Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation, a streamlined application for tribal-specific grant programs. Of the $113 million, just over $53 million comes from the Office of Justice Programs, more than $35 million from the Office on Violence Against Women, and more than $24.7 million from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.

In addition, the Department is in the process of allocating up to $133 million in a first-ever set aside program to serve victims of crime in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.  The awards are intended to help tribes develop, expand and improve services to victims of crime by providing funding, programming and technical assistance.  Recipients will be announced in the near future. 

“With these awards, we are doubling the amount of grant funding devoted to public safety programs and serving victims of crime in Native American communities,” said Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Jesse Panuccio, who made the announcement during his remarks at the 26th Annual Four Corners Indian Country Conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  “There is an unacceptable level of violent crime and domestic abuse in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.  This increase in resources, together with our aggressive investigation and prosecution of crimes, shows how seriously Attorney General Sessions and the entire Department of Justice take these issues.  We are committed to reducing violent crime and improving public safety.”

The Four Corners Conference is facilitated annually by U.S. Attorneys from Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah to provide a forum for discussion of justice-related topics with a large number of populous and diverse tribal nations located in the region.

CTAS awards cover nine purpose areas: public safety and community policing; justice systems planning; alcohol and substance abuse; corrections and correctional alternatives; children’s justice act partnerships; services for victims of crime; violence against women; juvenile justice; and tribal youth programs.   CTAS funding helps tribes develop and strengthen their justice systems’ response to crime, while expanding services to meet their communities’ public safety needs.

This announcement is part of the Justice Department’s ongoing initiative to increase engagement, coordination and action on public safety in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

A listing of the announced CTAS awards is available at: go.usa.gov/xP2uc.